UNITED NATIONS POPULATION INFORMATION NETWORK (POPIN)UN Population Division, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,with support from the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)

94-09-05: Statement of Tuvalu, H.E. Mr. Otinielu Tausi

ISO: TUV
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AS WRITTEN
ADDRESS BY THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER OF TUVALU TO THE FULL
SESSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT 5-13
SEPTEMBER 1994 FOR DELIVERY ON MONDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 1994
Thank you Mr Chairman
It is a great honour for my country to be represented at the
International Conference on Population and Development. Population
issues are a prime concern in our pursuit of sustainable long term
development in our country
Mr.Chairman
For my delegation, the enormity of this meeting is a little
overwhelming. You will appreciate this when I tell you that there are
more participants in this Conference than live in the whole of Tuvalu.
Mr Chairman
Small states, including those in the Pacific, are often overlooked
or marginalised at international fora. This is not the case here and I
wish to express my thanks to the ICPD Secretariat and the many donors
who have made possible our participation in this very important meeting.
Together with our Pacific colleagues, we are already actively involved
in the discussions and we look forward to further contributions over the
next eight days
As I have already said my Government places the highest priority
on population issues. We have many problems in regard to overcrowding
and unsustainable population growth. These trends are beginning to
impact severely on our environment and our economic development.
Consequently we are heartened by the recognition in the Programme of
Action that population is a multi-dimensional issue. Population,
environmental and development issues are inseparably linked.
This said, I must state that the biggest threat to Tuvalu's
population is an environmental one. The islands I come from rise no
higher than a few metres above sea-level. We are continually threatened
by a seemingly increasing number of natural disasters resulting from
global climate change. Our very existence is threatened. We could be the
first country to disappear as and when the sea-level rises.
It is in this context that I wish to urge both developed and
developing countries alike to modify their unsustainable patterns of
production and consumption. These patterns, if allowed to continue, will
inevitably lead to sea level rise and the disappearance of my country.
The world community will then be faced with 10,000 environmental
refugees.
Mr.Chairman
My Government, in full cooperation with our non-governmental
sector, is refining and implementing our population policy. This policy,
which will complement our other development and environmental policies,
has three main concerns: One - Rural-urban migration and the effect this
is having on our traditional lifestyle; Two - Management of land
resources in a manner which is consistent with the spatial distribution
of our population; and Three - Establishment and implementation of
effective information, education and communication programmes on
population at both the formal and informal levels
In seeking to grapple with these concerns, the most difficult task
facing the Government is how to address the crucial and sensitive issue
of land. Against modern practices in relation to modern land usage stand
our traditional land tenure systems. The Government hopes that
resolution of this issue and adoption of efficient land management
practices will go some way to ameliorating our population and
environmental concerns.
After our people, land is our most limited and most valuable
asset. Its centrality is indicated by the way it permeates every aspect
of our lifestyle and culture. We have a symbolic relationship. The land
is us and we are the land.
As a precursor to improved land management, we are moving
increasingly to decentralize our Government administration. In so doing
we seek to extend the benefits of effective land usage as widely as
possible. This, we think, is meaningful and sustainable
decentralization. Not only will it more effectively counteract rural-
urban drift but also bring the tangible benefits of development to those
of our far-flung islands which have previously been neglected.
Mr Chairman
Our total population is less than 10,000 but our land
area is a mere 26 square kilometres. We recognize therefore that our
population growth rate of 1.7% is unsustainable in the long r m. Our
target is to reduce this rate to 1.0% per annum by 2004. We think it is
a realistic target
To achieve this we are adopting comprehensive information,
education and communication programmes. Our formal curriculum is being
revised to educate children about population issues and our informal
education system is taking the issues to the outlying islands and
villages.
An important part of these programmes is education about family
planning techniques and the options available to everyone. We are
stressing the need for equal participation in family planning from both
husband and wife. Equally important is our insistence that all family
planning be voluntary. No coercion will be tolerated
All these issues are already reflected in the Programme of Action.
There are, of course, many other important ones and I can say that
Tuvalu is committing a significant portion of its limited resources to
addressing them as well. However, we like many others, need the help of
the international community. If, therefore, the international community
is truly committed to addressing population problems, then it must turn
its words, and in particular the Programme of Action, into reality.Mr
Chairman
The road ahead is long, and in places it may be tortuous. For tiny
countries like Tuvalu, the challenges will be all the more daunting. The
reality for Tuvalu, as for all the Pacific Island Countries, is that we
are an integral part of the international community. And along with many
other countries, we face severe resource limitations. The truth,
therefore, is that we cannot achieve our population and development
goals alone
The Programme of Action has involved a lot of talking and a lot of
nice words. But for it to have any teeth, it must be backed by the
financial resources of our development partners
Let me conclude now with my wishes for this Conference.
Firstly, I wish that the Conference recognizes the linkages
between population, environment and development issues, as Agenda 21
recognized the linkages between environment and development.
Secondly, I wish that in its discussions the Conference resolves
the difficult issues in the Programme of Action through mutual
understanding, accommodation and consensus.
Thirdly, I wish that through this Conference the international
community commits itself wholeheartedly to the implementation of the
Programme of Action.
Finally I wish that we never lose sight of the fact that we
represent our people. We have an obligation to represent their
interests. As I speak I think of friends and family in my home island.
They, and millions like them around the world, will be affected by the
decisions we make over the next few days.
With these humble wishes I thank you Mr Chairman.